CleanArc Data Centers has announced a $3 billion investment to build a new data center campus in Caroline County, Virginia. The project, named VA1, is expected to create 50 new jobs once it reaches full capacity.
The company officially broke ground on the site today. The facility will provide nearly 1 gigawatt of grid capacity and aims to meet increasing demand for digital infrastructure that is scalable and focused on sustainability. The design includes land conservation measures, closed-loop systems to reduce water usage, and features intended to minimize noise and light pollution.
Governor Glenn Youngkin commented on the announcement: “Virginia is the data center capital of the world, and I am thrilled that CleanArc has selected Caroline County as the site to invest $3 billion for their newest data center campus. By listening to Virginians and collaborating with industry leaders, CleanArc is ensuring this campus brings great jobs and revenue to this community and the Commonwealth while ensuring the high quality of life Virginia is known for. This is the largest announced economic investment in the history of Caroline County and a testament to the results that come from strong collaboration between local and state leaders and industry partners.”
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura added: “With this campus, CleanArc is ensuring every data center built in Virginia is better than the last. This enormous investment in Caroline County is a sign of Virginia’s growing dominance in the global tech industry.”
James Trout, Founder and CEO of CleanArc Data Centers, said: “Today marks an important milestone for CleanArc Data Centers and Northern Virginia. This new, leading-edge campus reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, efficient, and sustainable data center solutions while supporting the local economy and workforce.”
Founded in 2022, CleanArc focuses on sustainable development for data centers by combining scalability with renewable energy strategies. The Caroline County location represents its first project in Greater Fredericksburg. The company will benefit from tax exemptions related to qualifying computer equipment and software under Virginia’s Data Center Sales and Use Tax policy.
Nancy Long, Chair of the Caroline County Board and Supervisor of Port Royal District stated: “CleanArc’s $3 billion initial monetary investment in Caroline County is the largest announced business recruitment in the county’s history. The Board is proud that it has led the Commonwealth in setting exacting standards for data centers in the form of regulatory guidelines. These regulations include setbacks to enhance buffering from communities, noise abatement provisions, screening requirements, and the prohibition of the use of potable water for industrial cooling. CleanArc is setting the model for responsible data center development in Virginia and Caroline County.”
Mattaponi District Supervisor Floyd Thomas noted: “CleanArc’s data center project in Caroline, which includes the Bazaar site, is a demonstration of the county’s commitment to maintaining a rural lifestyle while providing substantial revenue for school improvements, critical infrastructure upgrades, and public safety investments, while keeping citizen’s taxes down in the face of growing costs for essential services. Caroline data centers will either be near an interstate interchange or in a designated Planned Innovation Research and Technology zone to contain data center impacts and allow Caroline’s rural way of life to be preserved.”
